Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-07
POtyDERLY PARLEYS
On the Management of the
Labor Organization.
SOME REFORMS ADVOCATED.
He Wants the Government to Es-
tablish Labor Bureau and
a Telegraph System.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
MINNEAPoLIs, October 6. - The
Knights of Labor went into execu-
tive session at 9:15 this morning.
After some routine work Mr.. Powderly
rose to deliver an address, the sub
stance OF which is as follows: "When
the last session of the general as
sembly closed, it dissolved among the
clamor of discontented men and the
warning of factions. 1t was a large
and unwieldy body and from so many
men who were up to that time stran-
gers to each other, it was expecting
too much to ask OF them to enact per-
feet legislation. This body is smaller
than its predecessor, and 1 ex
pect better things at it's hands.
The relations of the order to the
Anarchists has taken SO much place
in the public prints and has been the
subject of 80 much discussion in the
assemblies of some of the large cities
that it is proper to report to you my
doings in connection Herewith.
SOCIALISM AND ANARCHY.
Let me say here that never, as has
been SO much asserted in the press,
confounded Socialism with anarchy.
draw wide line of distinction be-
tween the two. have never publicly
uttered sentiment regarding the
cause of the seven men who are con-
demned to death in Chicago. will
now give my opinions. If these men
did not have a fair trial, such as is
guaranteed every man in the United
States, then they should be granted a
new trial. If they have not been
found guilty of murder they should
not be hanged. If they are to be
hanged for the actions of others it is
unjust. The man who threw the
bombs in Chicago should be hanged
and his accomplices should receive
the punishment allotted such offenses
by the laws of Illinois," All letters
relating to the anarchistic subject
were quoted at length.
THE DENVER QUESTIONS
were given in full and of the matter
Powderly said: 81 regard the whole
affair as an outrage and the question
as being impertinent, rascally and
prompted by motive Of revenge"
1.-THE HOME CLUB"
Powderly devotes some timeV, the
explanation of his knowledge \ the
Home Club of New York, /" I'd ard
ing which, he said much abuse\ and
ridicule had been heaped upon him
for the past two years in consequence
of his supposed connection with it.
He quoted voluminous correspondence,
and related, incidentally, facts as
known by him OF attempts made to
take his life. Referring to the resolu-
ton of the last General Assembly of
the cigar makers, Mr.. Powderly treated
it at great length. The decision is +.
prepared, and expresses his
belief that the resolution is unconstitu-
tional, and of no binding contract ex-
cept as a warning. r. 4Af
A DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. se,i
In his recommendation to the Cen
eral Assembly, Powderly says: "The
day has come for the Knights
to ask at the hands of Congress the
passage of a law creating a depart
ment of labor. The prosperity of the
whole country rests ON the broad
shoulders of labor, and there is moth
ing now so prominently before the
nation and the world as the question
of labor" He recommends that steps
be taken to have the next Congress
act on bill to establish a
A GOVERNMENTAL TELEGRAPH,
To be run in connection with the pos
tai service. II believe it could 90 be-
fore the next Congress asking for pas
sage, but for one or two measures.
They should be important ones and
the full strength of the organization
should be behind those who make the
demands. l believe, however, that
nothing could be more important than
the passage of laws creating govern
mental telegraph and National de-
partment of labor" The adoption of q
universal benefit plan is also recon-
mended.
NO CONNECTION WITH SOCIALISM.
Referring to the charges that he was
a member of the Socialistic party,
Powderly says lin 1880 Phillip Van
Patten, Secretary of the Socialistic
Labor party, was a member in the
General Executive Board of the
Knights of Labor" He sent Pow
derby red card of membership some
time about August 18th. paid up for
three months. Powderly regarded it
as merely complimentary act on the
part OF Van Patten, and denies that he
is a member OF any other society in
which the questions of labor or re-
form are discussed. Mr.. Powderly re-
fers to
THE PRINCIPLES OF ANARCHY
AS robbery and rapine and says that
no sane man can advocate such doc
trine. Referring to the General In
vestigator, he eulogized him highly
and recommends that the office be
made permanent. MIR. Powderly con-
demned the practice of caucusing and
lobbying on the part of members, and
in conclusion stated his perfect will
ingness to withdraw from office if the
Assembly so desired.
A LENGTHY ADDRESS.
Mr.. Powderly's report contained
about so 900 words. 1t is perhaps best
described in the words of General
Worthy Freeman Richard Griffith,
who said tonight: "It is the greatest
report we ever had. 1t is a complete
history of Powderly's official life since
his election at Chicago eight years ago.
1t is a great effort" Many other
members of the assembly are just as
well pleased with the report. AT the
close of the reading an adjournment
was taken until tomorrow.
Waterman's New Secretary.
SACRAMENTO, October 6.-Governor